The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, is a novel that explores the decadence and excess of the Roaring Twenties. Set in New York, the story follows the life of the mysterious and wealthy Jay Gatsby, who becomes entwined in the lives of his former love, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom.
One of the central themes of The Great Gatsby is the corruption of the American Dream. Gatsby, who was once a poor soldier, amasses a great fortune through illegal means, such as bootlegging and gambling. Despite his wealth, Gatsby remains unhappy and unfulfilled, as he is unable to attain his true desire: Daisy. This theme is echoed in the other characters, who are also driven by their own desires and ambitions, and are willing to do whatever it takes to attain them.
Another important theme in the novel is the concept of social class and the divide between the wealthy and the poor. The Buchanans, who are part of the upper class, look down upon Gatsby and his extravagant lifestyle. Gatsby, on the other hand, is desperate to win Daisy's love and be accepted into her social circle, even going so far as to throw lavish parties in the hopes of impressing her.
The Great Gatsby is also a commentary on the excess and materialism of the 1920s, as the characters are consumed by their desire for wealth and status. This is exemplified by Tom Buchanan, who is wealthy and powerful but ultimately unhappy, and by Gatsby, who becomes wealthy through illegal means but is unable to find true happiness.
Overall, The Great Gatsby is a timeless classic that explores the corruption of the American Dream and the decadence of the Roaring Twenties. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing wealth and status at the expense of happiness and morality.
The Great Gatsby Essay Free Essay Example
James Gatsby, one of the main characters in the book, has ideas for the perfect life, but is never able to achieve them. The novel was never assigned or studied in any of my English classes and so, out of sheer curiosity because I knew it was considered a literary masterpiece, I decided to read it for my own pleasure. The American dream was originally about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness. Impacts of the Pursuit The pursuit of the American dream causes various negative issues in the society. The behaviors of both the rich and poor change for the worse as each side seeks to accomplish its goals. Many Americans are too scared to even attempt to chase their dreams.
What makes gatsby great Essay Example
What makes gatsby great Amendment to the Constitution. Unfortunately, his good qualities ultimately lead to his death while, ironically, the Buchanan bad qualities save them. He also died protecting the love of his life. Gatsby associates it with Daisy and reaches toward it to guide him to his goal. In the midst of the story, the author introduces a green light that signifies the hopes held by Americans to achieve a prosperous future. The past has led him to create a fabricated illusion of Daisy that she could never live up to. Thus, with Gatsby leading in this business, he creates the impression that other low-income individuals practiced other illegal businesses.
The Great Gatsby Reaction Paper
Love, sex, and desire are also major motivators for nearly every character on their individual hunts to achieve the American dream. Scott Fitzgerald successfully uses location to differentiate social status amongst his characters while the weather and seasons of those locations help guide them. With Gatsby being the protagonist, the American dream results in his death. Tom Buchanan lets George Wilson believe it was Gatsby who had an affair with Myrtle and it was his car who killed her. Jay Gatsby endless love for Daisy is the driving force behind his extravagant lifestyle and his huge empire. Gatsby like any other person wants to succeed in life and reunite with Daisy Readers root for Gatsby to overcome the odds pitted against him, poverty, to better his life. After World War I, people in America felt the need to let loose and automobiles allowed people to feel freedoms they had never felt before.